The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) has urged governments worldwide to fulfill their obligations in safeguarding human rights defenders and ensuring a supportive environment for civil society, as global funding for human rights organizations continues to decline.
Legal Frameworks and State Responsibilities
ISHR emphasized that protecting human rights activists is a fundamental duty of states, as outlined in the United Nations (UN) Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and its supplement, Declaration +25.
- Article 2(1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) mandates that states take all necessary measures, including international cooperation, to uphold human rights.
- Article 13 of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders guarantees activists the right to receive, solicit, and use resources to promote human rights.
- Article 4 of Declaration +25 requires states to implement legal frameworks ensuring safe conditions for human rights defenders, including access to funding.
Impact of Funding Cuts on Human Rights Organizations
ISHR warned that recent reductions in international aid violate international law and severely limit the ability of human rights organizations to provide essential services. The organization stressed that financial support for human rights groups should not be treated as optional or dependent on political goodwill.
Despite the challenges, ISHR sees an opportunity to reorient funding approaches toward a decolonized, human rights-centered model, prioritizing local communities and grassroots activists. This shift would allow organizations to set their own priorities independently of political influence and adopt sustainable financing models.
Global Consequences of Aid Reductions
The cutbacks in international funding have already disrupted critical humanitarian programs:
- The UN World Food Program in Bangladesh announced in March that it would halve food rations for Rohingya refugees, worsening their humanitarian crisis.
- Amnesty International warned in May that the suspension of U.S. foreign aid halted food and healthcare services for vulnerable populations worldwide.
- A UN Women report revealed that women’s rights organizations are among the most affected and face potential closure without adequate funding.
Conclusion
ISHR’s call to action underscores the urgent need for governments to uphold their commitments to human rights defenders. As funding challenges persist, the organization advocates for stronger legal protections and sustainable financial models to ensure the continued operation of human rights organizations worldwide.
